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Caption

Tissue engineering. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of tendon cells growing on a smart bandage. This "smart" technology enables rapid regrowth and joining of damaged body tissue, like tendon or bone. Tiny diagonal grooves are etched in the biodegradable bandage (green). Grooves direct the growth of tendon cells (brown). Placed between broken ends of a tendon the bandage speeds natural healing and joining, after which the bandage biodegrades. Implanted into the body this technology may one day provide templates for hip replacements and all kinds of cell engineering projects. Magnification: x330 at 5x7cm size.